Humanizing Software

“I don't look at automation as displacing human jobs as much as enabling humans to do better stuff and spend more time together.” - Joe Gleinser There are a lot of opportunities for automation and integration of artificial intelligence in the area of software development. By leveraging technology to take care of the mundane, developers are free to focus on higher-level work that is creative and meaningful. That’s where we create the most value and where artificial intelligence is unlikely to become competitive with humans within our lifetime. Today, I’m exceptionally excited to be joined by someone I’ve known for almost 15 years, Joe Gleinser, Co-Founder of Trustgrid. Joe is a seasoned technology executive with over 20 years of experience growing technology product and service organizations around enterprise data centers, cloud, and security technologies. He is currently the CEO at Trustgrid, an edge computing platform that enables application providers to deploy in and connect to customer environments. He has previously been CEO at GCS Technologies, Inc. and is currently Chairman of the Board. In this conversation, Joe and I discuss the impact of social media on information distribution, why we need to teach our children critical thinking, how Joe’s family influenced his career, the evolution of education due to technology, why human relationships and collaboration are crucial even in a remote environment, and more. Enjoy the episode! Highlights Joe’s early exposure to programming and his career in technology and business How Joe’s family has influenced his perspective on business and his professional life My experience joining an internet startup right before the dot-com bubble burst The role of technology in education and how it has evolved over the past 25 years How the education of our youth changed as a result of the pandemic Trustgrid’s perspective on in-person interactions as a fully remote company Concerns surrounding TikTok and its influence on our youth Positive and negative impacts of social media and the need for emphasizing critical thinking skills The challenges of maintaining the human side of technology How automation can enhance human capabilities Navigating the trade-offs between convenience and privacy/security Exploring the current state of artificial intelligence, the marketing hype, and its limitations What people-driven tech means to Joe Connect with Joe Gleinser Joe Gleinser on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joegleinser/ Trustgrid Website https://trustgrid.io/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

Humans are great at exploring thinly sliced pieces of life. AI enables us to solve problems at the level of a complex system, taking us from an era of data and information into an age of knowledge. We can’t think about the advancement of technology without considering who makes it, who uses it, and who’s leveraging it. Humans are the central piece of the puzzle, creating inventions and making discoveries that translate into everything that has become ubiquitous in our modern world. It’s impossible to separate people from technology and the influence of the human condition on the software we interact with daily. To explore this topic further, I’m joined by multi-dimensional thought leader Jaleh Daie today. Jaleh is a Partner at Aurora Equity and someone I’ve just recently had the opportunity to meet. She’s a trailblazer and pioneer many times over, having served as the first woman in several leadership roles. In this conversation, Jaleh and I discuss how her upbringing and immigrant experience influenced her career, her transition from academia to venture capital, the relationship between science and technology, AI's benefits and potential dangers, the importance of human involvement in decision-making, and more. Highlights Jaleh’s upbringing in Iran and the challenges she faced as a graduate student in the US during the Iran hostage crisis Jaleh’s dynamic career journey from academia to serving the President and eventually joining the world of venture capital The importance of developing different skills and mental models to adapt to changing circumstances How growing up in a big family taught Jaleh the value of focus and cooperation in achieving her goals The motivation behind Jaleh’s decision to leave academia and pursue a career at the Packard Foundation Exploring the interconnectedness of science and technology How AI has enabled the shift from the era of information to the era of knowledge The benefits of AI in understanding complex systems Why humans are an essential part of the equation, despite the advancement of AI Why Jaleh made the move from San Francisco to Austin What people-driven tech means to Jaleh The impact of technology on the immigration process Connect with Jaleh Daie Jaleh Daie on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalehdaie/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

“Great relationships still need to happen, and technology should support that.” - Rob Kaczmarek When you look at the community banking market and what they do well, it’s centered around their human connection with their clients. This connection is at the heart of relationships that last a lifetime, often from generation to generation. As we build the technology to improve our banking experience, it’s critical that that piece is supported and the human relationship remains at the center. Today, I’m incredibly pleased to be joined by Rob Kaczmarek, who I’ve known and respected for several years. Rob is a serial entrepreneur who has founded several successful SaaS companies, including inbanx, which we're talking about quite a bit today. In this conversation, Rob and I discuss his dynamic entrepreneurial journey, the influence of his family on his mindset, his approach to understanding user needs, the need to adapt and innovate while maintaining a human connection, and more. Highlights Rob’s family background and entrepreneurial journey How Rob’s family influenced his approach to business and problem-solving The importance of dedication, commitment, and sacrifice Why it’s crucial to be able to ignore distractions and stay focused on your goals, especially in a noisy and competitive industry The evolution of software and its adaptability to different situations Understanding context and building an enterprise-grade solution from scratch Technology development and adapting to a changing environment Flexibility and adaptability in entrepreneurship The positive and negative effects of AI and learning to leverage it as a tool What people-driven tech means to Rob Why technology needs to support and facilitate genuine human relationships Connect with Rob Kaczmarek inbanx Website https://www.inbanx.com/ Rob Kaczmarek on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robkaczmarek/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

Like a baby learning to walk, failure is a crucial part of learning. Many companies have a culture deeply rooted in a fear of failure. That fear leads to risk aversion that can often result in companies staying stagnant and rejecting growth opportunities simply to avoid the difficulties of pushing the needle. Calculated risk is vital in business and with teams, especially when developing software that can make or break a company's bottom line. Today, I'm exceptionally pleased to be joined by Adrian Williams, a highly experienced senior technology leader and Vice President of Engineering at aboutGOLF. I've had the opportunity to know Adrian for the last five or six years, not only as an individual and colleague but also as a very good friend. With over 30 years of experience in the software development space, Adrian has spent a lifetime as both an engineer and a leader, failing and succeeding, learning and teaching people, teams, and companies how to be wildly successful. In this conversation, Adrian and I discuss how he naturally developed a high risk profile, how it shapes his approach as a leader, the concept of "failing fast," the impact of work environments on success, the challenges of remote communication, the limitations of technology, and more. Highlights Adrian’s diverse background, interests, and experiences and how they have shaped his risk profile Fear of failure and embracing the “fail fast” mentality Challenges of failing fast and the need for a supportive environment that allows for quick iterations and corrections Success story - how failing fast and being agile led to a successful solution during the COVID-19 pandemic Why trust and transparency in leadership is essential in creating a culture of fearlessness and innovation The art of listening and effective leadership The role of software in improving efficiency and reducing waste Challenges of remote work and the need for tools that facilitate human connection and communication The excessive use of tools in education and the negative impact on kinesthetic learners The limitations of technology in replicating rich human interactions Why visual cues are crucial in communication What people-driven tech means to Adrian Connect with Adrian Williams aboutGolf Website https://www.aboutgolf.com/ Adrian Williams on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-williams-austin-tx/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

“You and I can exchange value as long as we have an internet connection. We don't necessarily need an intermediary like we did before, and that’s exciting.” - John Ainsworth From data to money to the ledger, traditionally, everything related to currency exchanges has been centralized. With the decentralization of finance, millions of people who could not access traditional banking have access to technology that can transform their lives and the way they exchange currency. Today, I’m extremely excited to be joined by John Ainsworth, President and CEO of Bonifii. I've had the chance to get to know him personally over the last several years, and I respect him as a technology leader and a visionary in many different areas. After starting his career at SunTrust, he continued to Visa and Mastercard as a senior leader, driving strategy and change and implementing key policies and procedures. In this conversation, John and I discuss the evolution of payment and authentication, how trust in the financial industry has changed over the years, what the humanization of money transfers looks like, the importance of trust, the role of technology in banking, potential risks and benefits associated with AI, and more. Highlights John’s background and career experience in the world of Fortune 50 companies John’s journey from Visa and Mastercard into the startup world The evolution of standard payment methods How technology has revolutionized payment experiences The transformation of currency exchange The shift from centralized payments to peer-to-peer transactions and the use of various form factors for payments Leveraging technology for the humanization of financial services Recognizing the level of trust and confidence in financial systems that’s needed for a transaction to occur Insights from the rising trust placed in cryptocurrency Consequences of errors and the need for controls and balances The changing acceptability of AI and the associated benefits and dangers What people-driven tech means to John Interconnectivity and the value of genuine connections, trust, and respect in the context of technology Connect with John Ainsworth John Ainsworth on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnainsworthjr/ Bonifii Website https://bonifii.com/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

“In a time-constrained environment, technology has to be as intuitive as possible.” - Damian McKeon There’s a big problem that first responders face. When you arrive on the scene of an emergency, and it’s somewhere you’ve never been before, you waste a lot of time figuring out where to go. Mission-critical teams typically have 300 seconds or less to solve problems where the consequence of failure is death or catastrophic loss. Today, I have the pleasure of hosting two extraordinary guests, Ashley Hamilton and Damian McKeon, the co-founders of Aiki. Ashley and Damian recognized this problem and are now revolutionizing the world of emergency response with intuitive, symbol-based indoor mapping. Damian brings over 29 years of experience in the fire service and 27 years as an EMT paramedic in Texas. A seasoned professional, Damian has served in the United States Army as a Green Beret and the 19th Special Forces. He has traveled the world sharing his expertise, tactics, and tactical medicine. With 15 years of firefighting experience, including six years in the Special Operations Battalion, Ashley excels in solving complex problems in hazardous and restrictive environments. She serves as an Emergency Planning Specialist for the Austin Fire Department. She has pioneered programs that require and enable first responders and command staff to make rapid, secure, and efficient decisions using symbols instead of written language. In this conversation, Damian, Ashley, and I discuss the need to leverage technology for emergency response, their mission to empower children in crises, the need for more effective responses to active shooter incidents, the power of real-time communication and instant notification systems in schools, the future of Aiki, and more. Highlights Ashley’s journey from financial advisor to firefighter Damian’s unique background in the fire service, Special Forces, and as a medic Leveraging data and technology to help first responders save lives The process of digitizing paper plans and maps to turn unstructured data into structured data Recognizing the need and opportunity to empower children in emergencies The horrific statistics on mass shootings and the need for faster response times How real-time, intuitive, visual data can transform the way first responders and individuals respond to a crisis situation Empowering students and teachers during a school shooting The individual use cases for Aiki for end users and first responders Creating an interface for real-time communication during emergencies Using visual references and symbols for efficient information transmission The future of Aiki What people-driven tech means to Damian and Ashley Connect with Damian McKeon and Ashley Hamilton Aiki Website https://www.aikiplans.com/ Ashley Hamilton on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/whatahamiam/ Damian McKeon on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-mckeon-955428223/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

“I always envisioned building a company that focuses on quality software. Not just software that works, but software that endures.” - Denzil Fillis When developing software, it’s easy to hyper-focus on functionality, but the truth is, getting your code to work well is just one part of the equation. Code doesn’t have to be impersonal. When the zeros and ones are combined with the intent to do something significant and create positive change, you are helping humanity. Today I’m quite pleased to be joined by someone who embodies this philosophy and built it into the foundations of his company, Denzil Fillis, CEO of MpiloTech. Denzil's journey from software developer to entrepreneur is truly inspiring. After reading "The Alchemist," he took a leap of faith to follow his passion and start a software company. Since then, he’s built an organization that embraces teamwork and authentic relationships, making a significant impact in South Africa and the African continent. In this conversation, Denzil and I discuss why he decided to take the leap to pursue entrepreneurship, his vision for building a company that prioritizes quality software, the challenges of working with cross-border institutions, why people development has to be a central focus, how Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI) is used at MpiloTech, the negative impact of ego in software development organizations, and more. Highlights Denzil’s background and drive to start his own software business Taking the leap from corporate to entrepreneurship Denzil’s vision of building a company that prioritizes quality software Challenges of working with different cross-border financial institutions and the importance of a simplified and secure customer experience MpiloTech’s perspective on people development The massive impact on humanity of providing good quality software with a higher intent and purpose behind it Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI) and how it’s used at MpiloTech Why Denzil is passionate about creating job opportunities for individuals with potential Driving awareness and connection between the South African and North American tech ecosystems Opportunities for collaboration between African and US companies in creating software solutions Creating unique bonds and forging authentic relationships What people-driven tech means to Denzil Managing developer egos and why teamwork is crucial in software development Connect with Denzil Fillis MpiloTech Website https://mpilotech.co.za/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

“There's no better time in history to be a musician than right now.” - John Zozzaro For the first time in history, we’re starting to see independent artists taking control over their destinies through the tools and technology that are now available at our fingertips. As technology continues to integrate seamlessly across different types of infrastructures, artists have more data and more useful information that - when properly utilized - can allow them to engage their audience and get to a sustainable place easier than ever before. Today I’m very excited to be joined by John Zozzaro, founder and President of MediaTech Ventures. Born and raised in the Chicagoland area suburbs, John Zozzaro started his entrepreneurial journey in his early twenties playing music and touring all over the U.S. During this time, his passion and obsession with the convergence of media and technology began to blossom. In mid-2013, he decided to break away from the stage and forge a new path, launching two different marketing agencies leveraging his music industry experience to create more opportunities for bands and brands. In October of 2016, he met his now business partner Paul O'Brien and launched MediaTech Ventures as the solution to help educate public, private, and corporate capital how to invest in Media-Technology, while providing innovators access to networks, education, tools, and capital, necessary for their success. In this conversation, John and I discuss his journey from professional musician to entrepreneur, the overlap between the music and technology industries, how technology has empowered independent artists, the financial struggles artists face in an already revenue-deficient industry, the democratization of ownership, and more. Highlights John’s path from professional musician to marketer and entrepreneur How John’s father’s entrepreneurial journey influenced his career path The tie-ins between music and technology Challenges faced by musicians in the past and how technology has empowered independent artists to take control of their careers Opportunities for artists in the ever-changing digital economy How technology has revolutionized the music industry Indiegogo as an example of a resource that was ahead of its time The financial struggles faced by artists in an already revenue-deficient industry The problem with how music industry technology was initially designed to support the industry itself rather than the artists Creating technology that empowers artists by supporting the democratization of ownership The complexities of ownership in the digital world Understanding the concept of NFTs as digital receipts and their potential for creating transparency in ownership and authenticity Why the collaboration between artists and technologists often leads to innovation The importance of encouraging creativity in software development The role of mentorship and resources in reducing startup failure rates Connect with John Zozzaro John Zozzaro on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnzozzaro/ MediaTech Ventures Website https://mediatech.ventures/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

Back in the day, it was hard to turn the TV off, knowing there might be something interesting waiting on the next channel. Now, with personalized recommendations and algorithmically-curated feeds, much of the technology we interact with is optimized for so much more than core functionality. While it can sound scary, this type of ubiquitous code isn’t all bad. The software evolution has produced highly effective educational tools, significant advances in medical technology, and much more. It's up to us to ensure that technology serves us rather than the other way around. Today I’m excited to be joined by someone I've known and respected since I moved to Austin, Bill Leake. As the CEO of Apogee Results, Bill draws on deep expertise in both business and marketing to help increase revenues for a wide range of clients. He has been driving provable revenues through Internet marketing techniques since the early 1990s when, as part of the management team at Power Computing, he built the first company to sell $1 million of product over the Internet. As founder of Apogee Results, he has guided the company from inception to its current position as the largest search engine marketing company in Texas, one of the 20 largest independents in North America, and one of the fastest-growing companies on the Inc. 500 / 5000 list. In this conversation, Bill and I discuss where Austin is going as a city, the evolution of digital marketing over the last three decades, good versus bad technology, what ChatGPT and advancements in AI mean for humanizing software, and more. Highlights How Bill ended up in Austin and his experience founding and growing companies here Austin’s growth and evolution into a tech hub The impactful OGs of the Austin tech industry Bill’s accidental entry into digital marketing through his work at Power Computing The early days of the internet and lesser-known Austin success stories Challenges of humanizing software Differentiating between cute and ubiquitous from a user experience perspective The changing expectations for digital marketing Positive examples of technology being used for the greater good The negative impact of social media, which rewards conflict instead of censoring it Tremendous opportunities in the internet space What people-driven tech means to Bill The trade-off between privacy and convenience Bill’s perspective on the pros and cons of ChatGPT Connect with Bill Leake Bill Leake on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leake/ Apogee Results https://www.apogeeresults.com/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

Back in the 90s, the best code was the one that maximized the limited computing power available. Human interaction was an afterthought. Fast forward to today, user experience is at the heart of the software development process. The current user-first approach to software has totally shifted the development process and the types of software being built. Users expect every interaction to be intuitive and seamless and with minimal friction. That’s where people-driven tech comes in, making people's lives better. For this episode, I was pleased to talk to Kaj Gronholm, CEO of Woodridge Software. Kaj is a 20-year software industry veteran who has built and led three companies, helping them grow from original idea to successful exit and ongoing operations. He founded and sold a leading Network Access Control company, Roving Planet, to HP. Kaj understands what it takes to build a company and develop new products. He is skilled in leading teams of people, honing strategy, and focused execution. He is also an expert in cyber security and enterprise data. Kaj has an ability to understand customers’ points of view, goals and needs and helps guide projects to exceed expectations. In this conversation, Kaj and I discuss his nomadic childhood, the detours his career took before joining the financial services industry, how software can help make the world a little better, the accelerated pace of change with technology, the key to hiring amazing developers, and more. Highlights Kaj’s background growing up in an airline family and his early interest in programming How Kaj’s love for mountain biking led him to discover his people skills and selling abilities The great adventure of a three-month bike trip across the US without much technology How Woodridge helps make the world a little better by making software better The shift towards user-focused software and how it’s become a major aspect of software development Transformative changes to how software is built and the way we interact with applications How Woodridge and Kaj think about the accelerated pace of change with technology The role of technology as a potential source of discord and what we can do about it The importance of people-driven technology in the banking industry Hiring developers who are smart, good at solving problems logically, and humble Connect with Kaj Gronholm Kaj Gronholm on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaj-gronholm-820b61/ Woodridge Software https://woodridgesoftware.com/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

“If a tool doesn’t make the human experience easier, it’s a badly designed tool.” - Bose Chan From target demographics to government regulations and societal values, there are so many influences on what goes into building software. The profound impact of these factors becomes clear when we look at the differences in how technology has developed in different regions of the world. Today I'm exceptionally pleased to be joined by someone I've come to know and respect not only with their business acumen but also as a good friend, Bose Chan. Bose is the Head of Strategic Partnerships at MX, where he heads up product partnerships and devex, driving MX’s strategic approach toward build vs. buy vs. partner decisions. He is also responsible for building up the platforms and journeys that clients and their developers leverage to onboard, implement and build their apps. Before joining MX, Bose managed the Open Banking function at Citi as part of its FinTech and Consumer Digital business. He led the development, integrations, and operations of financial data APIs that power thousands of FIs and fintech apps, providing connectivity to millions of US consumers. In this conversation, Bose and I discuss his perspective on the differences between FinTech in the US and Asia, how his early life experiences impacted his views on financial management, what it means to design software with the human experience in mind, the fallacy of breakthroughs in technology in FinTech, privacy versus safety and security, and more. Highlights Bose’s journey to his role as Head of Strategic Partnerships at MX and his origin story in the financial industry Growing up in Singapore and how Bose’s experience with the financial crisis influenced his career in finance The impact of early life experiences on financial decision-making The lack of financial education in schools and the importance of understanding basic financial management Designing software with the human experience in mind The importance of focusing on purpose and intent in the building of software Understanding screen scraping and the issues it presents Examining the economic value chain and the challenges of fair distribution of resources across stakeholders The fallacy of breakthroughs in technology in FinTech Differentiating between online and mobile banking How target demographics influence investment and technological development The government’s role as a technology and identity provider in certain Asian countries How regulatory policy and societal values influence the ways technology is built Privacy versus safety and security Why defining ownership of data is so complicated Appreciating the differences between technology and freedoms in the US and Asia Connect with Bose Chan Bose Chan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bosechan MX Technologies Website https://www.mx.com/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

“Learning happens through relationships.” - Erika Haskins As technology evolves, how we interact with it and with each other fundamentally changes. With the rise of ChatGPT and the knowledge and insights of the collective at our fingertips, how does the role of the human educator change? Ultimately, a new opportunity is created for teachers and education systems to shift the focus from access to information and lean into the power of relationships in growth, learning, and challenging people. Today I'm quite pleased to be joined by Erika Haskins, an experienced educator, community builder, and social innovator. She has over 15 years of experience working with coaching entrepreneurs and startup teams, facilitating community-led design, and as part of the launch of over 80 education and EdTech ventures. Erika is a certified Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile assessment practitioner and brings this expertise to bear in all of her programs. In this conversation, Erika and I discuss her journey from the farm to the city, where her interest in EdTech developed, the importance of relationships in education and business, the evolution of technology in public education, the role of teachers and artificial intelligence in learning, why inclusive innovation is crucial for unlocking value in technology, and more. Highlights Erika’s journey from a rural community in Indiana to working in EdTech The importance of relationships and the sense of collaboration in Austin How Erika’s early family life impacted her values and beliefs as an adult The evolution of technology in public education and how it’s changed the physical infrastructure of schools The role of teachers and artificial intelligence in teaching What we’re in danger of losing from over-reliance on AI The significant role of the impactful teacher and human interaction in education How EdTech has developed and the potential impact of software on the way we learn Inclusive innovation and unlocking value in technology as a sector FemTech as an example of people-driven tech Erika’s upcoming projects Connect with Erika Haskins Erika Haskins on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-haskins-3b51582a/ Erika Haskins on Twitter @ErikaHaskins https://twitter.com/erikahaskins Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

"Keep doing the basics correctly, then add the bells and whistles where possible." We’ve gotten to a point with technology where it can seem like we should intuitively know what our users need or simply let the machine determine our direction. Ultimately, the humanization of software means letting the users be the ones who ultimately make the call of where technology needs to be. Today I’m very pleased to be joined by Henrik Markarian, Vice President, Digital Channels at Logix Federal Credit Union. Henrik is an established technology executive with years of experience managing teams in fast-paced environments and bringing innovative products to market across web, mobile, cloud, and dedicated systems. He started his career as a software engineer in the burgeoning video game industry. He climbed through the ranks to oversee production teams across software, marketing technology, and, most recently, digital banking. He has a passion for optimized experiences on digital, values simplicity in design, and believes getting the details right is a difference maker. In this conversation, Henrik and I discuss his background and career journey in technology, the relationship between humans and software, how he approaches software development with a focus on user-friendliness and personalization, Logix's mission to help members thrive, critical considerations for data collection, and more. Highlights Henrik’s career journey in technology, including his experience in the video game industry and marketing technology How family impacted Henrik’s life and choices from an early age Going from video game creation to marketing technology to digital banking The importance of engagement in software development and how it has been a consistent theme throughout Henrik’s career Focusing on getting the basics right before thinking about bells and whistles Balancing different users’ needs in product design Gamification in banking apps and how it can make the experience more pleasant. Constant notifications and the potential for information overload Why Henrik prefers to let users have more control over their experiences The platforms and applications that Henrik likes the most Logix Federal Credit Union’s mission statement and how it guides their strategic decision-making when it comes to data stewardship Compliance and regulatory challenges of big data The shift from waterfall methodology to agile development in software development Why it’s critical that people are driving the evolution of technology Connect with Henrik Markarian Logix Federal Credit Union https://www.logixbanking.com/ Henrik Markarian on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrik-markarian/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

The value of technology is driven by the end goal of the person utilizing it. At the heart of development, you have to think about who is your core user and how you make sure that you build in a way that makes them engaged and satisfied. That might look like a purely digital solution, but it might also mean leveraging other tools to ensure you’re meeting that end user’s need. Today I’m exceptionally pleased to be joined by Chris Turnley, EVP of Member Experience at University Federal Credit Union. Chris is a well-known leader, mentor, and team builder throughout the Austin and Central Texas community and is involved in several different innovation and transformation challenges. He's held senior leadership roles at companies such as Chipper, Tosh, WPEngine, Iron Mountain, and various startups. In this conversation, Chris and I discuss the importance of taking a human-first approach to everything, why his focus is always on helping the person in front of him, the need to build relationships when implementing new technology, Chris’ approach to innovation, and more. Highlights Chris’ human-first approach to everything and his journey from teaching to technology The massive potential for positive change that comes from being customer-obsessed How Chris came to work at University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) and his focus on making a difference in the community Technology should be about connecting the right people at the right time How Chris’ faith, parents, and community shaped him into the person he is today UFCU’s focus on member experience and how they match technology to different demographics Finding the balance between human relationships and technology and efficiency The potential for technology to amplify relational and value-creation aspects of business Chris’ approach to innovation and his filtering framework Why it’s essential for executives to stay modern The long-term impact of generative AI What people-driven tech means to Chris Connect with Chris Turnley & UFCU Chris Turnley on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christurnley UFCU Website https://www.ufcu.org/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

“If you balance integrity with ingenuity and resourcefulness, you will get the best possible answer.” - Corinne Bartow Software has become an integral part of our daily lives, making tasks easier and more efficient. Increasing computing power has led to beautiful interfaces and realistic digital experiences. However, there’s still a long way to go. How much should we rely on AI? What does it look like to center integrity and individualization as technology advances? What is the long-term impact that software has on our lives? Today’s guest, Corinne Bartow, VP of Fintech Partnerships at MX, joins us to talk about her experience in technology over the past 25 years and the importance of ethics and collaboration in software development. Corinne’s industry experience spans a wide range of areas, from engineering and marketing to sales channels and alliances. She’s launched many successful go-to-market initiatives, specializing in various ecosystem and partner programs. Corinne has a knack for connecting with all her company’s internal and external stakeholders in complex partnerships to ensure that what needs to get done is actually done. In this conversation, Corinne and I discuss the need to prioritize the human side of technology, the importance of values and beliefs in an organization, what it’s like to be a woman in technology, the evolution of software, the good, bad, and ugly of AI, and more. Highlights Welcome Corinne Bartow Corinne’s fascinating career path from product engineering to sales and beyond The significant impact of Brandon Dewitt, Co-Founder of MX, including his legacy and the importance of values and beliefs in an organization Corinne’s early passion for photography, marine biology, and engineering and why she ultimately chose to pursue a career in engineering What it’s like to be a woman in technology and the fight against internal biases Finding your path to having a charismatic presence Why women especially need to be careful when taking on “glue work” The evolution of software over the past 25 years How the power of computing and user-centric design have changed software, particularly in the banking industry The good, bad, and ugly of AI Balancing integrity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness in decision-making What people-driven technology means to Corinne Connect with Corinne Bartow & MX MX Technologies Website | MX.com https://www.mx.com/ Corinne Bartow on Twitter @PartnerClarity https://twitter.com/partnerclarity Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

“As a human-first technology company, we’re about the beings, not just the doings.” - Cindy Goldsberry In a world where technology is an integral part of our lives, balancing the benefits with the need for human connection and emotional well-being is essential. From the workplace to schools and at home, we need to use a critical eye to identify where technology becomes an enabler and where it becomes a disabler. Today’s guest Cindy Goldsberry joins us to talk about how technology impacts us as individuals and as a society and what we can do to emphasize the “people” side of people-driven tech. Cindy works with leadership on sustainable growth strategies to mirror the heart of a company's service, revenue, and growth goals for their workforce and clients. She has been a Partner in Higher State Technology, an MSSP for SMBs, since 2013 and now acts as a Wisdom Guide to leadership and employees as needed. Cindy is currently getting a Professional Masters Degree in "Emotional Well-being Therapy" with the goal of helping catalyze better living in and through business. In this conversation, Cindy and I discuss the impact of systems on our everyday lives, her perspective on valuing employees as "souls" rather than just "people" in the workplace, the different currencies in life that we need to be well, the immeasurable value of authentic relationships, how you can cultivate better connections, and more. Highlights Welcome Cindy Goldsberry Cindy's background in technology and leadership Rebuilding from nothingness and reinventing who you are Higher State’s Flourish program and the distinction between "people" and "souls" in the workplace How COVID-19 has helped strip away people’s layers of protection The four Ps of an authentic relationship How Visioneering can be applied to systems to support people and processes Southwest Airlines as a case study of recognizing the interconnectedness of people, systems, and processes How the mind impacts the way we perceive and receive the world The role of AI in making technology more human Bidirectional influences between people and technology Why we need technology to serve human beings, not the other way around What we can do to fill the communication gaps caused by technology Why multimodal means of communication and interaction are essential Connect with Cindy Goldsberry Website | Higher-State.com https://www.higher-state.com/ LinkedIn | CGoldsberry https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgoldsberry/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw

To solve a problem, you need to have the full context, and getting the full context means stepping away from the technology. The most valuable part of engineering is the human aspect. Stepping away from the code to get on a call and understand the customer and their challenges is how you find a solution that truly meets their needs. That’s how you create value. We at Tailwind have this relationship focus in common with Q2 and today’s guest, Ryan Hollister. Ryan is the Vice President of Engineering at Q2, a financial experience company dedicated to providing digital banking and lending solutions to banks, credit unions, alternative finance, and fintech companies in the U.S. and internationally. He has over 18 years of diverse professional software development and leadership experience. Ryan has developed software from real-time systems to embedded devices to enterprise-class web applications. For the past nine years, Ryan has focused on building complex and robust web applications in fintech. In this conversation, Ryan and I discuss the challenges of getting financial institutions to participate in cryptocurrency, the evolution of digital banking, why customer service and partnership are critical, the need for financial institutions to innovate and stay at the forefront of technology, and more. Highlights Welcome Ryan Hollister Ryan’s personal and professional background Ryan’s transition from engineering to people leadership as Q2 has grown Q2’s radical transformation over the years The guiding principles and customer partnership culture at Q2 How Q2 stays competitive in the increasingly crowded FinTech space Q2 Innovation Studio case study: Q2 & NYDIG Partnership Balancing traditional ways of doing things in the financial industry with the need to move faster to meet customer demands Tailwind’s software as a relationship approach Ryan’s take on people-driven tech The advantages of starting with the problem rather than the solution Finding the true fundamental motivation using the three levels of “why” Human interactions are an essential part of agile development Ryan’s book recommendation: Will Larson - Staff Engineer: Leadership beyond the management track Connect with Q2 Website | Q2.com https://www.q2.com/ Facebook | @Q2Software https://www.facebook.com/Q2Software/ LinkedIn | Q2 https://www.linkedin.com/company/q2software/ Twitter @Q2_Software https://twitter.com/Q2_Software Instagram @Q2Software https://www.instagram.com/q2software/ Thanks for Listening! Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Engage with us digitally on: Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/ YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsK82VPSZA LinkedIn | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailwind-business-ventures-llc/ Facebook @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindsw Twitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw